Site Inspections of West Covina Schools Studied

The West Covina school board is considering approving an inspection of the district’s two high school sites to certify that the campuses are structurally safe. The board decided to consider the study after a parents group said it would submit an 800-signature petition to force the examination.

The Fact Finders, the parents group unhappy with the district’s decision to turn Edgewood High School into a middle school and retain the older West Covina campus as the district’s only high school next year, brought a petition to the board.

The group made its request despite an inspection by the state architect’s office that found the West Covina campus to be structurally sound.

In a report to the board, the Fact Finders said the West Covina campus was deteriorating and was not suitable for use by any grade level. District officials have said that maintenance on campus has been substandard, but argue that the larger West Covina campus is more suitable than Edgewood to serve as the district’s high school.

Supt. Jane D. Gawronski said the district would have to pay for the inspection unless state Supt. of Public Instruction Bill Honig agreed to have the state pay the cost, estimated at $50,000. The board will consider the petition, the scope of any possible inspection and who would pay for at its June 14 meeting.